Tips to write a literary analysis paper

1. Keep in mind that there are several styles of literary analysis papers. The most common is the thesis-driven essay, which is structured around a central thesis or argument about a text. There is also the process paper, where you explore how you're processing a piece of text and arrive at a thesis or argument by the paper's conclusion. This second approach is really about exploring and interacting with a text.
2. Brainstorm your ideas and narrow your focus to one element or angle of the text. 
3. Begin your research. Literary analysis papers require secondary sources: online journals, literary criticism, and other resources can help you acquire additional information. Take notes and always keep track of your sources in MLA format.
4. Go through the text again, and compile textual evidence to support your paper. 
5. Create an outline, keeping in mind that you need to structure your paper clearly. An essay must have an introduction (one or two paragraphs), a larger section where you will develop your ideas and present your support statements (four to six paragraphs) and a conclusion to summarize your main points (one or two paragraphs).
6. Begin writing your paper. If your essay is thesis driven, be sure that you present it clearly at the beginning of the paper, preferably in the last sentence of the introductory paragraph.
7.  Develop a style and a voice that feel natural to you. A literary analysis paper doesn't have to be dry, and you don't have to sound like you smoke a pipe and wear blazers with elbow patches. However, you shouldn't be overly familiar: beware of register and take into account the context of circulation of your text. 
8. Be concise: avoid repetitions and excessively long sentences.  Make sure each of your paragraphs develops part of your argument. Use connectors to ensure cohesion (such as conjunctions and adverbs).
9.  Assume that the reader of your paper has read the text you're talking about and don't summarize the plot — avoid paraphrasing. Literary analysis isn't a book report, so if you use summary, do it only as a support for your central thesis and keep your paper focused on analysis.
10. Make sure your quotes are accurate and use parenthetical documentation rather than footnotes. Quote only critical bibliography that will support your points and cite specific parts of the text to back up your opinion.
11.  Proofread and rewrite your paper. At least once, read your paper out loud so that you can hear your mistakes. When you have at least one or two complete drafts of your paper, give it a title that clearly conveys what the paper is about.
    Adapted from: How to Write a Literary Analysis Paper | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2082878_write-literary-analysis-paper.html#ixzz28LWAQM